German Border Town Embraced Unity
Fifty Years Before the Adoption of Euro

By
Neal BoudetteStaff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal

Updated Dec. 31, 2001 12:01 am ET

BREISACH, Germany -- Half a century ago, the citizens of this former citadel on the Rhine were asked in a test vote if they wanted to erase national borders and form a United States of Europe. Ninety-six percent said yes.

Today, even with 12 European nations about to adopt the euro as a common currency, this town's dream is still far off. Critical issues such as taxation, immigration and social security are still decided in national capitals, not in the European Parliament that divides its time between Brussels and Strasbourg,...